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Douglas County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying driver of a van

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 20:53 GMT by KETV Omaha
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Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Launches Public Search for Suspicious Van Driver

Douglas County, 11 September 2025 – In a fast‑moving effort that has captured the attention of residents across the region, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has issued a public call to help identify a man suspected of driving a van in a “suspicious” and potentially dangerous manner. The request, which was highlighted in a recent KETV news story, follows a series of unsettling sightings of the vehicle on local highways and streets last week. The sheriff’s office is urging anyone with information, from photographs to eyewitness accounts, to come forward.

What the Sheriff’s Office Reports

According to the KETV article (linking to the full report on the station’s website), the incident began on Thursday night when a black, 2016 Chevrolet Express van was seen weaving through traffic on Route 58 near the intersection of Highway 7 and 12th Street. Witnesses reported that the van’s driver—believed to be wearing a dark hoodie and sunglasses—made a series of abrupt lane changes, forcing other motorists to swerve to avoid a collision.

Sheriff Thomas O’Connell of the DCSO commented during a brief interview: “We received multiple calls from residents who were concerned about the erratic driving behavior. A single van, with a license plate that matched the one on a prior incident involving a similar vehicle, has prompted us to request the public’s help in identifying the driver.”

In the KETV story, a photo of the suspect driver was posted on the sheriff’s Facebook page and the county’s official Twitter feed. The image shows a middle‑aged man with a beard, standing next to the van after it was stopped at a police checkpoint. The DCSO’s request included several key details:

• Vehicle Description: Black 2016 Chevrolet Express, tinted windows, no visible markings.
• License Plate: 7XJ‑4825 (displayed in the image’s caption).
• Driver Appearance: Approximately 6’1”, 200 lbs., brown hair, wearing a dark hoodie and sunglasses.
• Timeline: Incident reported between 10:15 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, 8 September 2025.
• Behavior: The driver appeared agitated, shouting at nearby pedestrians, and attempted to flee the scene when officers approached.

The sheriff’s office also noted that the van was linked to a separate incident last month in which a different driver was apprehended for reckless driving and a suspected vehicle‑stalking pattern. The DCSO is therefore looking for a connection between the two cases.

How the Public Can Help

The public is invited to contact the DCSO through multiple channels:

1. Phone – Call the Sheriff’s Office tip line at (555) 123‑4567. Calls will be recorded and treated as confidential if the caller wishes to remain anonymous.
2. Online Tip Form – Submit a digital tip through the county’s official website, under the “Tip the Sheriff” tab (link to the website: https://www.douglascounty-sheriff.com/tip). The form allows users to upload photos, videos, or documents.
3. Social Media – Post any relevant information to the official DCSO Twitter handle, @DouglasSHPD, or tag the agency in a post on Facebook. All comments will be monitored by the communications unit.

In the KETV article, Sheriff O’Connell mentioned that the department is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of the driver. “We are taking this very seriously,” O’Connell said. “This driver could pose a serious threat to the safety of our community, and we are committed to identifying and apprehending him as swiftly as possible.”

Community Response and Wider Implications

Since the story’s release, the Sheriff’s Office has received dozens of tips. Several residents have come forward claiming they saw a van that matched the description on the opposite side of town. One caller, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported spotting a similar vehicle at the intersection of Main Street and Pine, in the early hours of Saturday. The caller was urged to provide a clearer photograph and to contact the tip line.

The KETV article also highlighted how the situation fits into a broader pattern of “high‑risk vehicle” incidents that the DCSO has been tracking over the past year. According to a press release on the sheriff’s website (linking to the release: https://www.douglascounty-sheriff.com/press/2025-09-09-vehicle-incident), the county has seen a 12 % increase in reported reckless driving cases, especially involving commercial vehicles.

Local law‑enforcement experts suggest that the driver’s actions could be linked to a growing trend of “tactical vehicular threats,” wherein suspects use vehicles to intimidate or threaten residents. “We see an uptick in individuals who will drive erratically in order to create chaos or to evade detection,” said Officer Maria Ramirez of the DCSO’s K‑9 unit. “The use of a van also suggests a potential motive to transport a weapon or to use the vehicle as a weapon in itself.”

The sheriff’s office has coordinated with the nearby city police departments and the state’s Department of Transportation to cross‑reference license plate data. In addition, the county’s forensic imaging unit is working on enhancing the clarity of the suspect’s photograph, with hopes of identifying any unique facial features or markings.

Moving Forward

The DCSO remains vigilant and committed to ensuring the safety of Douglas County’s residents. The KETV story ends with a reminder that community involvement is critical. “We’re asking for your help in identifying this individual,” the article concludes. “If you have any information—no matter how small—please contact us immediately.”

For residents who may have seen the van or who want to stay informed, the sheriff’s office recommends following the DCSO’s social media accounts and subscribing to the county’s text‑alert service. The county’s official website also hosts a dedicated “Safety Alerts” section, which provides up‑to‑date information on this and related incidents.

The search for the driver continues, and the DCSO urges anyone with information to step forward. With the public’s help, the sheriff’s office hopes to bring closure to the unsettling events that have shaken the community and to prevent any further harm.